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Show DAVIS - REFLEX - JOURNAL, DECEMBER 9, 1986 Emotions ran high as the family of Melanie Fisher gathered to decorTerrie, Melanies mother, upper left, chokes back tears of joy as she views the tree. Center, Melanie gazes at the tree with wonder official greeter to the arriving By JUDY JENSEN guests. SALT LAKE There was excitement in the air as the family and friends of Melanie Fisher gathered at the Salt Palace early Monday morning. This was the big day, the day they had been preparing for since February. This was the day that the dream of Melanies Christmas tree would become a reality, the day the doctors said Melanie would not live to see. Melanie Fisher is a very special little girl and this was a very special Christmas tree. Although Melanie is severely multiple handicapped she could sense this was a very important day. Four generations of her family had assembled to witness the creation of Melanies tree, a monument to the courage of this little girl and her loving family. . Melanie suffers from mic- rocephaly, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and scoliosis (curvature of the spine). According to her moither Terrie, Melanie functions at about a level, but she can smile and she knows her family, she always smiles when her daddy enters the room, said Terrie lovingly. When the scoliosis worsened, Terrie asked a prominent orthopedic surgeon" if he could operate on Melanie to improve her condition. He told me not to bother with surgery because Melanie would be dead by the time she was nine, recalled Terrie sadly. in Well Melanie will be said she We made it, January. jubilantly, thats why this is such a significant time in bur lives. At that moment the interview was interrupted by a delightful who announced her-se- ll a as Stephanie. line with a dot, and an e, she explained. Stephanie is one of Mela- I have two boyfriends, giggled Stephanie, Josh and Travis. When asked what the best thing about having Melanie for a sister is, she responded, You can love her and take care of her, really have three boyfriends, she added. I have Skyler too. Bright, efficient, Mandee said she enjoys babysitting Melanie, when shes sad hold herand that Mandee hasa makes her happy. 1 1 boyfriend too, interjected Stephanie with an impish grin, and I have four boyfriends, forgot Jeremy. By this time the 500 pink lights had been strategically placed on the tree by the industrious workers. Melanies father Steve was scheduled to arrive at any moment Levi with her Freeman. Steves parents George and Midge Smedley and his sister Sherry Fullmer were already on the job, as were Terries sister Karen Robles, her mother Sandra Moss and her grandparents Orland and Mae Fackrell. Sherrys husband Kent was busily videotaping all of the events of the momentous occasion. Kent works at Hill Field and freelances 1 great-grandfath- frirys a SftciaC jotj to tfvose around SJpCCiaC FltCpccC to tiianfo matt tiC$ fdur-year-o- nies two sisters. Eleven-year-ol- d Mandee had appointed herself as Qlso, a sjxtuiC Cxrt tfitij tod long-awaite- her special tree. Her smile of approval was the only reward needed by her diligent family hand-lettere- Konor ef to (Cream, tfoe members. Through their combined efforts they had made a dream come true. Editor's note: Melanie's tree may be seen at the Festival of Trees at the Salt Palace, today through Saturday.) Jifaf, flo JidanU Rer, jxnitij ( JritnCs i&tt uVc a rcafity. tumU to XnfcCtij's, to donate ts efforts. Two of Melanies classmates passed away this year, and Terrie, her voice cracking with emotion. So many of the trees are done in memory of a chjld. I didnt think 1 would be a strong enough person to do it after shes gone, so I decided to do a tree while we still have Melanie here to enjoy it. The prognosis for Melanie is not we feel very blessed encouraging, to have her with us now, said Terrie. And if she can be with us till shes 15 then we will be counting many, many blessings. Brushing her emotions aside Terrie brightened and added, This has been pretty emotional, but a lot of fun. d The moment had arrived, the tree was finally complete. It was time to show Melanie d d by Mandee lovingly was placed beside her picture near the tree, there are so many people who have helped with the tree that aren't here today, said Terrie. She explained that many family members and friends had encouraged her to complete the project. is Terrie works at Monte Vista in Farmington where Melanie attends school. She said her had been very supportive of her hand-mad- JKtS tree is donated in I great-grandparen- as a commercial artist in his spare time. He helped Terrie design the tree, mapping out the overall plan for the project. The tree is entitled A Dove Brings Peace and Love. Terrie said she envisioned the tree over a year ago, 1 saw this beautiful tree in my mind and it just cried out do me. I knew it had to be done in cranberry and pink, peaceful colors full of love, remembered TerI wanted to use doves not rie. angels because people always associate handicapped children with angels. The dream tree was nearing completion. The problems with the lights had been worked out. Grandpa Smedley had fixed the tree so it no longer leaned to the right. The e last of the 50 grapevine wreaths and ceramic doves had tafbeen hung and the feta tree skirt had been carefully arranged beneath the tree. Melanies story that had been hand-quilte- and approval as she held by her mother. Lower right, Orland and Mae Fackrell, get hugs from SteMandee their and cousin as Melanie watches. phanie, ate her "dream" tree. Text by Judy Inc ,Jcr Ut5 feaultfuC the jxrtrait. tint Jensen Photos by Jim Haskett |